Early Blooming Spring Perennials

The holidays are finally over.  I dont know what it is, but leading up to Christmas I can't get enough snow.  I think that chilly days are festive and that evergreens look majestic next to skeleton-like maples.  But come the 26th the Christmas tree cant come down fast enough and I rush to my mailbox every afternoon to see if the Burpee catalog has arrived.  My feelings about snow go from festive to tolerant, as I remind myself that the snow showers of January and February provide for luschious July gardens. 

In anticipation for a spring that will come, I've compiled a few of my early spring favorites.  These are the resiliant few that can withstand the sometimes frigid Utah spring nights.  I've put them outdoors in early March and had great success {as well as much needed outdoor color}.  A word of warning: although the plants themselves can withstand  very cool tempuratures, night time frosts can damage the colorful blossoms.  By covering blooms with a frost cloth, towel, or sheet, you can keep the frost from settling on the blooms. 

All My Friends are Flowers

Favorite Hardy Early Blooming Perennials

1) Bellis or English Daisy {Bellis perennis}

picture found here

This daisy comes in solid or mixed colors and works well in containers or beds.

USDA Zones: 4-8
Height: 6-12''
Width: 6''
Sun: Full Sun
Bloom Time: early-mid spring, early-mid fall

2) Rockfoil {Saxifraga x arendsii}

picture found here

USDA Zones: 4-8
Height: 6-8''
Width: 6-9''
Sun: Full Sun
Bloom Time: early-mid spring

3) English Primrose {Primula vulgaris}

picture found here

USDA Zones: 3-9
Height: 6-8''
Width: 6-9''
Sun: Full Sun
Bloom Time: early-mid spring

Looking for more early spring color?  Click on a picture below to check out other All My Friends favorites!

 

 

Echinacea- 'Big Sky' Series

For bright, bold, late-summer color you cant beat the 'Big Sky' coneflower series! Available in a wide variety of colors, you'll be sure to find the perfect shade for your perennial bed.  In addition to their striking hues, coneflowers are deer resistant and drought tolerant once established.  The dedicated removal of spent blossoms will keep them blooming until the frost.  Try snipping a few blossoms before they have faded and arrange them in a vase indoors, coneflowers make a great addition to a cutting garden.  

Design Tip: Pair coneflowers with Carradonna salvia or Catmint for a striking contrast, or plant with delphiniums and foxgloves for a cottage garden feel.  Try mass plantings for bold blocks of color. 


USDA Zones: 4-8
Height: 24-30''
Width: 18-24''
Bloom Time: July- September
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Requirements: regular watering until established





Photos:
Sunrise- soonerplantfarm.com
Harvest Moon- gardening.about.com
Solar Flare- tgreenhouses.com
Twilight- itsaulplants.com
Sundown- skinnergardenstore.com
Sunset- georgeweigel.net
After Midnight- parkseed.com
Summer Sky- botanicalshots.com

Plant of the Week- Hemerocallis

As excited as I was to leave the country this past April, and as great as its been to live in Spain for the summer, there have definitely been downsides. For example I had to forego planting my own containers, I've missed out on this years biennial foxglove blossoms, and I didn't get to drool over the first vine-ripened tomato of summer. I've also been absent for the beginning of one of my favorite summer flower shows: daylilies.

From their vibrant blossoms to their grassy foliage, daylilies offer immense garden interest. Their basal, lanceolate leaves provide texture and movement for garden beds while large trumpet shaped blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Daylilies can be incorporated into any landscape due to their extreme size and color variances. From whites, pinks, and purples to vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges {like 'Alabama Jubilee' pictured below} you're sure to find the perfect addition to your landscape. Try a dwarf lily such as Stella de Oro, Bonanza, or Little Grapette along walkways or at the very front of planting beds.

Once planted, keep the daylily on a regular watering schedule, which encourages deep rooting. Once established daylilies are surprisingly drought tolerant, which might seem a contradiction to their tropical flowers. For beautiful, healthy plants make sure to remove all old growth and leaves before new growth emerges in the spring, and divide plants every 2-3 years.

USDA Zones : 4-11
Height: 30" {dwarfs 12"}
Width: 18-24" {dwarfs 10-12"}
Bloom Time: Summer
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil Media: well drained soil
Water Requirements: regular watering until established

Photo: dayliliesbythepond.com

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A Handful Of Blackberries

I am picking blackberries one handful at a time.  Let me explain. 

 Thirteen years ago I spent several months on bed-rest as I awaited the arrival of my last child.  During those long and tedious weeks of gazing out the front window waiting for both spring and the baby to arrive, I became well acquainted with the flowering pear tree and the birds that would light there to partake of the berries left over from winter’s long reign.  I remember the delightful day that the Burpee catalog arrived. If the Burpee catalog had arrived then spring was surely coming and that meant that my hopes of delivering a healthy baby were fast approaching.  The pages became dog-eared as I poured over each entry on the colorful pages.  Finally as my day of deliverance approached I placed an order.   I had been on a pilgrimage to make it through a tough pregnancy and the reward for my endurance was the gift of a thorn less blackberry.  Three in fact.  I placed the order and a couple of days later I cavorted off to the hospital to deliver a bouncing baby boy.

 There is nothing in this world that compares to having a baby.  It is divine. So much so that I will not wax poetic in this post, but will save it for another time.  His arrival eclipsed the memory of a mail order purchase made so hopefully in the days before his birth and so, it was with great regret that I stumbled upon my purchase in the garage WEEKS after its arrival.  Yes weeks!  Someone had brought in the mail while I was at the hospital and had thoughtfully stowed the Burpee package on top of the freezer in the garage.  I didn’t hold much hope as I opened the package and I nearly cried when I saw that two of the plants were clearly dead.  But there was one small green sprig of life on the third plant and I practically ran to the backyard to find a place to plant it. 

I always planned to buy more bushes to add to the one that beat the odds and decided to flourish but somehow it hasn’t made it to the top of the priority list.  Maybe next spring.  For now I delight in the handful that I pick every other morning and it reminds me how lucky I am to have arranged for the safe arrival of a 13 year old who went 6 for 8 at a baseball tournament last weekend and who loves me so much it is tangible. 

What do I do with my handful of berries?  I am stingy!  I wash them and dry them and freeze them individually and when they are frozen I add them to a large freezer bag waiting for the day when the large bag is full and then I make a batch of blackberry jam. If you tune in later this week I would love to share one other great recipe—Blackberry Lemon Bars. 

Note:  As soon as I have harvested the last of my blackberries I will cut the fruiting cane to the ground.  A lot of gardeners will suggest burning these canes to prevent them from becoming diseased.  It is important to use sharp, clean pruners.  Leave the non-fruiting canes (supported) for fruiting next year.    When you cut the old canes down it will send a message to the plant to produce new canes.  These won’t fruit next year, but they will the following year!  Patience—it’s worth it.  

                                   

Outdoors In

I'm a firm believer in cutting gardens. Bringing my garden into my home gives me as much pleasure as does extending my living spaces outdoors. However, I didn't cut these flowers. I do not have a garden here in Spain {other than the bougainvillea of course} nor is it the season for mums. My husband surprised me with these a few days ago, a purchase made at one of the many cut flower stalls in the plaza. I must say that I admired his color choice. The simple beauty of the white-on-white, coupled with contrast of the exposed brick walls, feels fresh and clean. Since mums are a wonderful, long-lasting cut flower, they're sure to keep the living room serenely beautiful until we fly home next week.

Grab a pair of clippers, pick out the perfect vase, and bring some of your outdoors in.

Check back tomorrow for our Plant of the Week!

A Few Of My Favorites for Cutting

Anenome

Aster

Bee Balm

Blanketflower

Coral Bells

Coneflower

Coreopsis

Lily

Liatris

Peony

Phlox {upright}

Yarrow 

 

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Plant of the Week- Rose Mallow

For continuous garden color it's important to stage blooming periods through perennial selection. While waiting for your delphiniums to rebloom enjoy the mid-summer tropical beauty of Rose Mallow! With exotic blossoms spanning up to 10" in diameter, they are well deserving of their other common name, dinner plate Hibiscus.  This is a plant that is sure to add whimsy to any garden!

USDA Zones: 5-10 Height: 36-48" Width: 24-36" Bloom time: mid to late summer

Photo by : victoriannursery.co.uk

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Double the Delphiniums

Gorgeous spires of blossoms in pinks, purples, blues, and whites emerge in early summer bringing butterflies and hummingbirds with them. To encourage a repeat performance it's essential to remove spent blossoms. Here's how to to bring back your blossoms.

Remember to wear gloves when handling delphiniums since they contain alkaloids that can cause skin irritation. We absolutely love Atlas nitrile gloves. They are super slim, and perfect for light pruning. Plus they come in a bunch of fun colors!

Once blooms have faded, grab you Felco pruners and trim stalks about 3" from the ground. Remove any damaged or yellowing leaves as well. To kick start a second round of color, apply a water soluble fertilizer weekly. Enjoy double the delphiniums!

Bartzella Itoh Peony: The Perfect Cutting Flower

Bartzella Itoh Peony

Paeonia x ‘Bartzella’

Bartzella is the perfect cutting peony!  The lemon yellow double blossoms will make a springy statement, whether it’s in your landscape or in a vase on your kitchen table. 

Unlike other peony varieties, (which require hoops or stakes so that the heavy blossoms don’t bend the stalks to the ground) staking is unnecessary for this strong-stalked variety, making it must have for peony lovers!  Plant this buttery bloomer in masses for blocks of color, or pair with pink toned spring bloomers like English daisies, bleeding hearts, or creeping phlox.     

USDA Zones: 4-9

Exposure: partial to full sun

Height: 2-3’

Width: 2-3’

Bloom time: late spring

Soil media: prefers well drained soil

Water requirements: regular watering

Photo Attributions:

Monrovia.com

Photographer: Doreen Wynja

Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss

Brunnera macrophylla

Jack Frost?  Hearing that name can send shivers

down the spine of anyone who has just turned the

bend from winter to spring.  But with one look at this beautiful

brunnera, laced with icy silver will assure you

that the warmer weather is here to stay. 

The bright blue blossoms of this shade-lover will brighten

up any border, bed, or walkway. 

Large leaves provide beautiful texture for shady woodland

garden.  It thrives in moist conditions, which makes it

a perfect plant for boggy areas. 

USDA Zones: 3-9

Exposure: full to partial shade

Height: 12-18’’

Width: 12-15’’

Bloom time: spring

Soil media: prefers constantly moist soil

Water requirements: regular watering

Photo Attributions:

Northern Shade Gardening

www.northernshade.ca

'Purple Cascade' Aubretia

Are you looking for a waterfall of spring color?

Look no further! ‘Purple Cascade’ is the perfect spiller for spring.

The profuse mini-blossoms for a carpet in the early months of the year

While the green foliage works as textured ground cover for the

remaining months of the season.

Go find ‘Purple Cascade’ aubretia at your local garden center!

USDA Zones: 5a-10b

Exposure: full sun

Height: 6-12’’

Width: 10-24’’

Bloom time: mid-spring

Soil media: prefers well drained soil

Water requirements: regular watering

Photo Attributions:

http://www.thompson-morgan.com 

Absolutely Amethyst

Who doesn't love candytuft?

The cheery, clustered blossoms definitely shout spring.  The wonderful plant provider Proven Winners has released a brand new variety that is a must have for perennial gardens. 

New ‘Absolutely Amethyst’ puts a spin on the typically snowy white blossoms.  This new variety sports with lavender centers that fade to pale purple edges.  This candytuft is absolutely perfect for a sunny bed or rock garden. 

Well now that we’ve discussed one of the new must have spring blooming perennials, lets talk about the company that makes ‘Absolutely Amethyst’ and countless other new

varieties possible:  Proven Winners! 

Proven Winners maintains a focus on the sustainable production of plants that

are disease resistant and unsurpassed in flower production.  We’re excited to feature Proven Winners on our website!

To find a Proven Winners retailer near you, visit

www.provenwinners.com

USDA Zones: 4a-9b

Exposure: full sun

Height: 10-12’’

Width: 8-10’’

Bloom time: late spring

Soil media: prefers well drained soil

Water requirements: average

Photo Attribution:

Proven Winners, www.provenwinners.com

Sunny Cottage Garden Border by Lacey

It’s never too early to get a jump start on garden planning! 

This cottage garden border combines the charm of old favorites with the statement of bold colors for a season-long show.  The arrangement of everblooming perennial beds takes the hassle out of annual plantings, while still providing continuous color.  Return bloomers like coneflowers, tickseed, and cranesbill are great performers in this sunny bed.  Accompanied by the bright blooms of campanula and dianthus, this vibrant mix provides early summer interest as well.  The garden’s flashy display lasts from early to mid-June and stays until the frost.   

Plant Materials Key

A-    Dark Knight Bluebeard

·         Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Dark Knight'

B-    Whirling Butterflies Guara

·         Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies'

C-    Big Sky after Midnight Coneflower

·         Echinacea ‘Big Sky after Midnight’

D-   Happy Returns Daylily

·         Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns'

E-    Snow Cap Shasta Daisy

·         Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Snowcap’

F-    Caradonna Salvia

·         Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'

G-   Geranium Rozanne

·         Geranium  ‘Rosanne’

H-   Bath’s Pink Dianthus

·         Dianthus ‘Bath’s Pink’

I-      Jethro Tull Tickseed

·         Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’

J-     White Clips Carpathian Harebell

·         Campanula carpatica CLIPS® White

Helleborus- The Lenten Rose

For those whose French is limited to munching on baguettes and the occasional donning of a beret,

 fleur de jour is French for “flower of the day”.  Alas, this post will not be a daily but weekly update onnew and otherwise must-have annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees for the garden.

But fleur de jour sounds much more beautiful than flower of the week (fleur de semaine).  So without further adieu…..

In the midst of the commonly cold and blustery weather associated with the month of March, we find ourselves blissfully enjoying sporadic afternoons of friendly sunshine, if only for a few hours at a time.  Sunny rays and patches of blue sky remind us that spring will come, and that the lackluster palate of grays and browns will eventually give way into a watercolor spring.  Are you ready to flourish your paint brush? 

For splendid spring color that stands out against drab snow and tired evergreens, Lenten Rose are the perfect perennial plants for a kick start of color.  Breaking through the snow in late winter/early spring they add a variety of color to beds and borders.  Their glossy, evergreen leaves also work to add year round structure to your landscape. 

Flower colors range from deep purples to cream and light green.  Blossoms can be double or single based on the variety.  New on the market his year are:

‘Merlin’ features single blossoms that emerge pink and then age to a deep burgundy

‘Onxy Odessy’ with dark purple double blossoms with red undertones

USDA Zones: 4a-9b

Exposure: morning sun/afternoon shade

Height: 12-18’’

Width: 15-18’’

Bloom time: late winter/early spring

Soil media: like most shade lovers, Hellebores prefer acidic to slightly acidic soil, but due to their easy-going nature, will survive in most soil conditions as long as the soil is well drained, and rich in organic matter

Water requirements: Hellebores are praised for their tolerance of neglect, but they perform best in evenly moist conditions

Photo attributions:

GAPphotos.com, Photographer Friedrich Strauss

National Garden Beauro Inc.  ngb.org

Terra nova Nurseries, terranovanurseries.com